Dispensing apparatus



Sept. 30, 1941.

P. L. HEXTER DISPENSING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 14, 1959 2 Sheets- Sheet l INVENTOR 8 2w. Hex er ATTO EY aza.

Sept. 30, 1941. P. L. HEXTER 2,257,233

' DISPENSING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 14, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I 'll 85 Li Li, I 86A E 8/ 894 '4 J I \I=== 4 1.1 INVENTOR ATTORNEY 74 15-18736? 1 B in L-Hex er Patented Sept. 30, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DISPENSING arrana'ros Paul L. Hexter, Cleveland Heights, Ohio Application December 14, 1939, Serial No. 309.253

5 Claims. (01. 221-67) This invention relates to an improvement in a dispensing apparatus and more especially to a dispensing mechanism which may be adapted to hold a container and being provided with means for dispensing the material within the container. It is customary in the sales of lacquers and paints to place the same in metal containers, the said containers are generally referred to as cans. The cans are formed in cylindrical shape having a base portion, and an annular opening inithe top portion, into which a cover is secured by fricto permit the dispensing mechanism to rest in a vertical position.

Still another object of the present invention is 4 to. provide a dispensing mechanism for cans con- ,tional means. The base portion is provided with A annular indented section or sections, to prevent bulging of the base when filled with a heavy liquid material such as lacquer or paint. 'Whena' taining paint or lacquer the said mechanism consisting of a base portion, a closure member and means for securing the closure member to the can and to th base portion. The closure member supporting an agitator mechanism, comprising a shaft journaled within a bearing provided in the central portion-ot the closure member, .a

handle for the said shaft and an-agitator secured to said shaft, the base of the agitator beingprovided with indented and extended portions there-.

can bulges at the base it makes packing diiilcult the desired amount of lacquer or paint therefrom and later replacing the cover on the can.

The deterioration due to oxidation is more es- I peciaily apparent and causes endless difilculties,

when the lacquers contained in the cans are base colors, and when it is desired to produce various tints by mixing-a combination oi. the bas colors thus providing any desired tint.

An object therefore of the present invention is. to provide a dispensing mechanism, the said mechanism consisting of a base portion, having annular raised portions and annular grooves, provided to register with the raised and grooved portions in the base oi. a can.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a dispensing mechanism for cans containing lacquer or paint, the mechanism consisting of a base portion to fit the bottom of a can, including annular indented and extended portions, a dispensing closure means tofit over the top of the can and means for securing the closure means and can rigidly on the baseportion.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a dispensing mechanism for cans containing lacquer or paint consisting of a base portion, a dispensing closure member, means for securing the said closure member to the can, and to the base member, and offset pivotal means associated with theunder portion or th base member to permit the dispensing mechanism to be rocked from the vertical plane to or nearly a on to provide wiping clean the base 01 the can. Th said agitator also being provided with openings therein and so designed when in operation tion, closure means to seal. the top or open end oi the container, the said closure means consisthorizontal position, the pivot portion being oflset mg of plate provided at its central portion with a bearing'in which an agitator shaft is iournaled.

Vent means in said closure, consisting oi acylindrical aperture and being provided with a grooved section therein, a ball fitting and sealin'g'the upper portion of the aperture, and securing means for the said ball consisting of a rod having its end portion bent at right angles to the said rod and of such length that the rod. may be removed only when the angled portion is in line with the groove in the aperture, and the ball being so arranged that when the dispensing mech-' anism is moved away from its normal vertical position the ball will drop out of its seat thereby venting the can. This structure forms a selfcleaning vent member.

Another object of the present invention is to provide adispensingmechanism consisting of a base portion, a container fitting th base portion and closure means for the said container, and means to secure the container and closure means therefor to the base portion. The said closure means being provided with a spout for the purgroovedaperture of Fig. 6 is an elevational view of a type of 2 Other objects of the invention and the features of novelty will be apparent from the following 1 .description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in whichy; Fig. 1 is a sectional elevational view of the dispensing mechanism, showing a conventional. container-a base, closure means for the container, agitator, vent and cutoff spout. -.Fig. 2 is a plan view thereof.

'. Fig. 3 is asectional elevational view taken on lines 8-3 of Fig. 1.

.Fig. 4 is a, section of the closure plate showing the venting means.

' Fig. 5 is a top sectional view showing the the vent.

view of another type of ama s tends horizontally from the base and'at its outer end is provided with a handle 84. The lower portion of the shaft is provided with a groove or slotted portion 85. and a hole 88 therethrough. An agitator of any desired design, such as is illustrated in Fig. 6 or Fig. 7, is provided with a flat head portion 81 having a hole 88 'therethrough.

Fig. 11 is a partial sectionalelevational view of the dispensing mechanism.

Fig. 12 is a sectional view taken on-lines i 2l2 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 13 is a sectional elevational .view taken on line I3-i3 of Flgrll.

Referring now to Figs. 1 to 7 of the drawings by numeralsand reference wherein like numerals represent like parts, .the numeral 5 is a conventionalcontainer or can having a base portion 8,

an annular indented section I, and the conven-- tional edge portion 8. The container has an open I top 9, th cover for the same having been removed. The said containerv 5 rests on a base portion I I, the said base portion is preferably circular in shape and is provided with two extending "lugs i2, the said lugs being provided with threaded holes therein.

It will be noted that the base ii is provided with an annular raised portion l8 and an annular grooved portion l4. These portions register with the portions I and the edges 8 of the container. The base portion I I is further provided with two depending lugs i5 which are offset from the central axis of the base. A subbase member i6 is I also provided with two upstanding lugs l1, the

.side thereof being provided with an annular groove 22 which registers with the top edge of the container 5. The closure member is preferably of circular shape, arid is provided with'two extending lugs 23 having holes therethrough into whichrods 24 project. The saidrods are provided with heads-25 and slotted to receive a screw driver or similar implement. The bases of the rods are threaded at 28 and project into the threaded holes in the lugs i2. The rods are removable by unscrewing the same from the'position as shown in Fig. 3. The closure member 2i is provided 'at its central portion with a bearing 21, inwhich anagitator shaft 28 is journaled. The said shaft is preferably equipped at its upper end with a handle base 3| secured in place by any conventionalmeans such as a set screw 32. An arm 88 ex- The agitator head fits within the groove or slotted portion 85 of the shaft 28, and is secured in place by means of a pin 88 projecting through the holes in'the'shaft, and in th agitator" head. The agitator design will be more fully discussed as the description continues. p

The closure member 2! is further provided with a vent member. The said vent member in-' cludes a raised boss 4i, preferably located at the topof the closure member when said member is in a horizontal position.

iecting therethrough is an annular hole 42, the

In the boss and prosaid hole being provided with a groove 48. Projecting through the aperture and of less diameter is a rod 44, the lower end of which is bent at right angles to th rod as shown in Fig. 4 and numeral 45. The top portion of the rod is fitted into a ball member 48. the said ball'at its lower end being provided with a seat 41. It should be noted that when the mechanism is in dispensing position such as illustrated in Fig. 1 and in dotted lines, the ball automatically drops out of its seat and permits venting of the container. when the container is returned to the normal vertical position the ball immediately seats itself, thereby completely closing the vent hole. When it is desired to remove the ball completely from the vent member, the ball is turned until the hon;- zontal portion of the rod 44 registers with the slot 43, when itmay be removed completely. The closure member 2i is further provided with a spout 48, and is 'provided with an annular open- '="ing 48 therein. It should be noted that the spout 1 48 is located near the lower edge of the container 5, when the said container is in the position of dispensing as illustrated in Fig. 1,. and shown in dotted lines.

5 The spout 48 has an outer face 5! which is machined to provide a flat, smooth surface. The

spout 48 is provided with a. stop member 52, the purpose of whichwill be explained as the description continues.

A base support or .boss 58, having a stop portion 54 is provided adjacent the spout. A knife closure member 55, preferably of spring steel, is secured and pivoted to the base support 53 by means of a screw 58. The opposite end of the knife closure member is provided with, a handle 51. It should be noted that the knife closure member 55 isof greater width than the opening in the spout, thus providing the complete closure therefor. It should further be noted that the stops 52 and 54 limit movement ofth knife closure member from the point of completely open to completely closed.

To further assist in providing a close fit be v the spring 58a. may effectively thrust the knife and prevent inadvertently leaving the member 55 It will be noted that two types of agitators are illustrated in Fig. 6 and Fig. 7. However, any number 'of agitators may be used providing they formed into a square for the receptlon'of a crank 86:: having a handle 81. The lower end of the shaft has a hole therethru.

An agitatorblade 88 is preferably formed in.

the shape of a section of a cone, the apex of which isjprovided with a hole into whichthc shaft projects. The blade is secured to the shaft I by means of a pin 09. The lower edge of the are equipped with heads to fit the agitator shaft.

The agitators are designed to fit and be used in different types of containers or cans, as will be noted from the grooved portions as shown at (a) and (b) in Fig. 6, and (c) and (d) in Fig. 7.

with this design it will be noted that the bottomportion ofthe container is wiped by the movement of the agitator. This action is of great importance, especially when mixing or stirring paints and/or lacquers, thus giving positive assurance that the entire pigment has been completely and thoroughly mixed with the contents of the container.

Referring now to the modification as illustrated in 'Fig. 8 to and including Fig. 13. This modiflcation relates particularly to the base member and mountings therefore, and also to the closure member. r

The numeral 6| refers to a conventional container. The said container having a base porcover for the same having been removed. The

edges 65 which form the opening are bent downcover.

The base 62 of the container rests on a preferwardly and provide a spring tight fit for the .blade may have notches 8i formed therein to conform to the annular raised portion 63 of the bottom of the container. An opening 82 is formed in the agitator to provide means'for thorough mixing of the material in the container.

The surfaced member 84 of the closure has a vent hole 83 located at one end the said hole projecting through the member 84 and the closure, thus providing a vent forthe container. In

the opposite end "of the said member is a hole ll somewhat larger than the vent hole, the said hole 9 is the means through which the con- I permits the valve member to be pulled downwardlyin its central portion by the said'screw 88, thus providing a complete shutoff of the two holes. The member 95 is further provided with ahandle 91 to permit ease of manual operation of the' valve. It will be seen from the above description .that the valve mechanism in conjunction with the closure member provide a valve which simultaneously open or close both the pouring and vent openings and prevent clogging of either of the said openings due to the provision that the openings are parallel to the walls of the ably circular support 66 which is provided with annular raised portionsil, and of such dimensions as to fit the indented portion of the container base. Extending in opposite directions and on either side of the support are ears 68 having holes therethrough. 0n the underside of v the support and slightly off center is a boss 89 having a hole ll therethru. Thru this hole a pipe I2 is placed and forms a portion of a stand.

on which is carried one or more support members. The boss is provided with a centrally located slot 13 thru which a pin 14 is projected, the said pin acting as a stop when the-support is tilted The closure member 'Ifl is preferably circular,

and is provided with extending ears I8, or projections located on either side 'of the said member and extending in opposite directions. On the ungerside of the said ears are threaded holes I9 in ends of said rods are also provided with threaded portions 82. The said rods project thru the holes in the ears of the supp rt 86 and are secured in place by 'wlng nuts ll. The closure is thereby held rigidly over the top of the containers, and the whole secured to the support.

' The closure II has a raised portion N, the surwhich rods 0| are secured. The opposite container or in vertical position-when the apparatus is in its normal position, which is in the vertical plane. By referring to Fig. 9 it will be noted that the valve is in the closed position and Fig. 10 illustrates the valve in open or pouring position and shows the two openings completely uncovered. When the valve is being moved to the closed position a knife cut off effect is produced and avoids any of the liquid from the con-.

tainer dripping after the shutoff, which is a highly essential feature of the present invention. It should be noted that the member has an enlarged opening 88 in its central portion through which the shaft 88 operates and permits movement of the valve member .without interference from the shaft and also limits the travel of the member acting as a stop for the member 95.

Although the invention has been described in connection with a specific embodiment, the principles involved are susceptible of numerous other appended claims.

applications which will readily occur to persons Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a dispensing mechanism including a hinged base portion, an open top container mounted on the base portion and a closure means face of which is machined to give a true flat surface. Centrally located on the undersidev of the closure is a downwardly projecting portion 84,

mounted on the container, and means for rigidly securing the closure means and container to the base portion, the base of the container having annularextended and indented surface portions, the base portion of the dispensing mechanism being provided with annular extended and indented portions'on its surface, the said portions registering with the annular indented and of the side wall thereof and means for securextended surfaces of the container when the container is secured to said base portion.

2,111 a mechanism for the dispensing of liquids from a container, the said container having an open top, the dispensing mechanism comprising a hinged base portion, a closure member and means for securing'the container and closure member to the base portion, the said closure member being providedwith a knife blade spout shutoif and an automatic vent mechanism, comprising an annular hole in the closure member, the said hole being provided with a groove throughout the length thereof, a ball having a seat provided at-its base and a rod projecting from the said base and the end thereof, bent at right angles and of such length as to permit passage through the hole and groove, and when turned to restrain the same from completely falling away therefrom.

3. Ina mechanism for the dispensing of liquids from acontainer, the said container having an open top, the dispensing mechanism comprising a hinged-base portion, a closure member and means for securing the container and closure member to the base portion, the closure member being provided with a bearing section centrally located therein, an agitator shaft journaled in the said bearing, a handle for the said shaft and an agitator blade, the said blade being removably associated 'with the lower portion of the shaft and extending across the entire bottom of the container and contacting-a portion ing the blade to the shaft, the lower portion of the blade being provided with grooved sections whereby the container bottom is complete-' ly wiped by the blade.

4. In a mechanism for the mixing and dispensing or a liquid from a, container including a hinged base support, a closure for the said con-. tainer and means for securing the container and closure to the base support, the said closure being provided with a vent opening, a discharge the base member being secured to a stand by a horizontal hinge whereby the mechanism can be tilted from a vertical to a horizontal position, a valve member for the said vent opening the said valve being provided with a seat and holding means therefor whereby the valve is unseated when the mechanism is tilted and reseats when the mechanism is returned to its normal vertical position.- y PAUL L. HEXTER. 

